The formation mechanism of metal-ceramic interlayer interface during laser powder bed fusion

Abstract

Experiments on Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) of powdered Ti on Al2O3 substrate were conducted and the interface formation was studied using a multi-material fluid dynamics model. Results show that the melt pool is relatively shallow, with relatively flat interlayer interface under LPBF’s conduction mode. In this condition, a thin sheath of molten Al2O3 forms and acts as a lubricating film for the molten Ti, leading to Rayleigh instability due to high flow inertia. Keyhole formation penetrates the Al2O3 substrate, resulting in a wavy interlayer interface. The recoil pressure from the keyhole and overall melt inertia are suppressed by the highly viscous molten Al2O3, thereby improving single-track melt pool stability. However, the thermal expansion coefficient difference between Ti and Al2O3 led to the formation of transverse cracks. Achieving a defect-free metal-on-ceramic single track remains a challenge, despite this study serving as a guide for melt track and interface control.

Keywords

• additive manufacturing
• multi-material
• ceramic
• laser powder bed fusion
• computational fluid dynamics